Alternative golf game

ABSTRACT

An alternative to the game of golf utilizing any conventional golf course while incorporating a plurality of elevated target disks having a vertical planar attitude and a circular central opening, a ball having an outer diameter substantially lesser than that of the circular central opening in the target disks, and a variety of ball launchers each having the ability to accept various handle implements. The goal of the game is to either strike or penetrate the target disks in as few tosses as possible from the T-off point.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an alternative to the game of golfwherein the present invention utilizes any conventional golf course butincorporates the following: a plurality of elevated target disks havinga vertical planar attitude and a circular central opening, a ball havingan outer diameter substantially lesser than that of the circular centralopening in the target disks, a variety of ball launchers each having theability to accept various handle implements. The goal of the game is toeither strike or penetrate the target disks in as few tosses as possiblefrom the T-off point.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ever-popular game of golf has become one of the most enjoyed sportssince the last decade or more. In some geographic areas, this sport camebe played year-round. However, in areas where winter months embrace thegreens in a snowy blanket, the game simply halts. Furthermore, courseowners generate no revenue during these downtimes.

The inventor sought to provide players and golf course owners with asolution to this dilemma, by creating an alternative to the conventionalgame of golf, in that, course owners can stay open, even during wintermonths, and players can continue playing an alternative to theirfavorite pastime.

Thus the inventor presents your commissioner with an alternative to thegame of golf whereas: one target at or near each of the holes of aconventional golf course is provided, having a planar disk with acentral opening therethrough, mounted to a vertical post, which in turnis pierced into the ground, and a variety of launchers with long orshort handles, and a ball.

While prior art teaches of a plurality of ball launching devices, theapplicant has failed to uncover the scope of the present alternative togolf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide players withan alternative to the game of golf, having a target disk, launchers anda ball.

In one aspect of the invention, the diameter of the central opening ofthe target is directly proportional to the diameter of the ball used inthe game.

In another aspect of the invention, the target is mounted onto avertical post.

In a further aspect of the invention, the target is mounted to afloatation device so as to enable play in a body of water.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the ball can be any generallydense ball, similar to a golf ball.

In another aspect of the invention, a spring is mounted between thelauncher head and its handle so as to provide greater momentum at eachpower launch.

Accordingly, the device of the present invention therefore providesplayers with an alternative to the game of golf, having a target disk,launchers and a ball, that can be played virtually anywhere, anytime.

Although the preferred embodiment illustrates the use of the presentgame in conjunction with golf courses, the utility of the presentinvention includes but is not limited to such golf course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following brief description and upon referring to thedrawings in which:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a curved launcher of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of a cupped launcher of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above of a secondary handle for thelaunchers of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 of therail portion of the curved launcher of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of an alternate floating targetof the present invention

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the primary target of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of an alternate base for thetarget of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows 8-8 from FIG. 1 ofthe curved launcher of the present invention. The dotted line in thisFigure depicts a ball and its placement in a ready position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows 9-9 from FIG. 1 ofthe curved launcher of the present invention. The dotted line in thisFigure depicts a ball in various travel positions.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows 10-10 from FIG. 7of the target adapter of the present invention.

While the invention is described in conjunction with preferredillustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intendedto limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it isintended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have beengiven similar reference numerals.

Turning to FIG. 1, a perspective view from above the primary balllauncher of the present invention comprising; a long handle 2, a spring4, and a curved launch rail 6. The long handle 2 further comprises; amale end having a spring nipple 9 therein, and a sleeve 11 having aninner diameter slightly greater than that of the outer diameter of thelong handle 2 so as to enable longitudinal motion of the sleeve 11 alongthe long handle 2, and a plurality of perforations 17 along one side ofsaid sleeve 11 to accept the spring nipple 9 therein. The sleeve 11 maybe positioned over a portion of the spring 4 so as to partially andadjustably restrain the lateral flexing motion of said spring 4. As theplayer swings the ball-holding launcher forward, the launch rail 6gravitationally exerts a rearward force against said spring thus, whilethe launcher handle 2 swings forward, the launch rail motion is delayedmomentarily during the initial portion of the arc motion of the handle 2until such a point where the arc's momentum diminishes and the spring 4begins to spring forward, along with the handle 2 thus substantiallyadding momentum to the ball equal to the velocity of the tip of thehandle, below the spring, plus the velocity of the spring's 4 upper end,thus exerting a greater launch effectiveness for greater distance to theball's travel. Furthermore, vent perforations 13 along the convexportion of the launch rail 6 are provided to decompress the air ahead ofthe ball, hence reducing drag during launch.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a secondary ball launcherwherein this launcher incorporates the very same handle 2, maleconnector 7 and spring 4 features of the primary launcher, however, atapered cup 10 is used in the place of a launch rail. This secondarylauncher is useful for short-distance tosses, and for retrieving ballsfrom sand and/or water. The cup 10 is adapted with elongatedperforations through its side and rear surfaces so as to allow greaterair flow through the cup 10 in order to reduce drag during a toss.

FIG. 3, illustrates an alternative short handle 17 for use in place ofthe long handle previously described. The short handle 17 is alsoadapted with a male end 7 similar to that of the long handle. The maleend 7 inserts within an opening of generally the same size as that ofthe outer diameter of the male end 7. A spring nipple 9 springs outthrough a mating perforation within the side portion of the receivingend 15 of the various launch head assemblies.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 ofFIG. 1, illustrating the launch rail portion of the primary launcher ofthe same Figure wherein a ball 12 is guided along raised ridges 14within the inner portion of the launch rail 6, reducing the surfacecontact area between the ball 12 and rail 6. Additionally, as a ball 12travels the launch rail 6 path, air ahead of the ball 12 compresses,thus creating drag. A plurality of spaced perforations 13 traverses thecentral area of the curved rail 6, decompressing the air ahead of theball and reducing this further drag.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view from above of a floatingtarget of the present invention comprising: a base 20 having a pluralityof openings 21 therethrough so as to lighten its weight, an array offloats 22 fixedly attached to floats struts 28 also attached to the base20, a central target mount 23 fixedly attached to the center upperportion of the base 20, a target disk 26 having a planar circularsheet-like form and a numeric indicia on one or both faces of saidtarget, a disk bracket 25 fixedly attached to the lower most area of thetarget 26, and a lock bolt 24 threadedly engaged within a matinglythreaded opening through one edge of the central target mount 23. Inaddition to reducing weight, the openings 21 through the base 20 alsoserve as scoring means whereby the player(s) may desire to use thetarget disk 26 as a rebound board while targeting one of the openings21, which may have various score values assigned thereto.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a front elevation view of a primary target of thepresent invention whereas, a post 36 having a pointed lower extremity 39for easier entry into soil, a foot bar 37 to enable installer to pressthe post 36 into the ground with his/her feet, and a target adapter40—between the target mount 25 and the post 36—similar to that utilizedon the floating target. The target 35 in this figure comprises: agenerally planar disk having an opening 38—through its center—as asmaller target to increase the difficulty level of the game, a targetbracket 25 fixedly attached to the lower portion of said target 35 has alower portion adapted to frictionally engage within a vertical openingin the target adapter 40.

Turning to FIG. 7, a perspective view of an alternate post assembly foruse with either targets 26 or 35 of FIGS. 5 and/or 6 wherein, the post31 is simply and relatively shorter and is fixed attached to adisk-shaped planar base 31 by means of a bolt or a weld joint. Thetarget bracket 40 is also generally similar to those of FIGS. 5 and 6.This target base can be used indoors, or outdoors where driving a postis not an option, or on iced lakes and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a cross-sectional view taken along arrows 8-8from FIG. 1, illustration in more detail the tabs 5 extending above andtoward the inner portion of the rail launcher 6. A ball 12, cantherefore maintain its position prior to launch by being frictionallyengaged under said tabs 5.

This Figure also depicts in more detail, the positioning of the ventperforations 13 at the central ridge of the rail launcher.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a partial cross-sectional view taken along arrows9-9 from FIG. 1, of the rail portion of the curved launcher 6, whereinas the ball 12 travels the launcher's rails in an increasinglyaugmenting velocity, air pressure ahead of said ball 12 compressessignificantly 29, thus creating undue drag in the ball's 12 travel. Ventholes 13 simply, allow this compressed air 29 to decompress duringtravel.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a partial cross-sectional view taken alongarrows 10-10 from FIG. 7 wherein a target bracket 40 is depictedcomprising: a molded thick-wall tubular insert having an outer diametergenerally and slightly lesser than that of the inner diameter of thepost 36 in which it is inserted, a circumferential channel 42 having adepth equal or lesser than the insert's wall thickness and located atthe lower half of the insert's height, an outwardly protruding lip 44extending the thickness of the mating post's 36 wall thickness. The post36 is adapted with a welded and threaded nut 43 centrally located at aperforation through said post 36 at a height equal to thecircumferential channel 42. A lock bolt 24 is threadedly engaged withthe nut 43, and traverses the post's 36 inner wall while extendingwithin the circumferential channel 42 thus preventing upward movement ofthe target bracket 40 while allowing rotational movement of said targetbracket 40 within the post 36. Therefore, the target, frictionallyinserted within the center opening 41 of the insert 40 becomesrotationally adjustable on a vertical axis.

Upon referring to the drawing figures and the above specification, itcan be understood that the alternative game of golf—as presented in theabove specification and appended drawings—provides players with avariety of alternatives to golf, especially when true golf is not anoption. Furthermore, golf course owners can now remain open for businessduring long winter months.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. An alternative game of golf comprising: a. a landtarget further comprising a disk shaped planar rigid sheet having acentral opening, a mounting plate, and markings on one face of said diskshaped planar sheet, b. A water target further comprising a base havinga plurality of openings therethrough so as to lighten its weight, anarray of floats fixedly attached to floats struts also attached to thebase, a central target mount fixedly attached to the base, a target diskhaving a planar circular sheet-like form and a numeric indicia on one orboth faces of said target, a disk bracket fixedly attached to the lowermost area of the target, and a lock bolt threadedly engaged within amatingly threaded opening through one edge of the central target mount,c. a ball, d. a curved launcher further comprising: a launch rail havinga generally C-shaped side view and a U-shaped cross section havinginwardly raised ridges within the inner portion of the launch rail,reducing the surface contact area between the ball and rail,perforations traversing the central area along the length of the curvedlaunch rail, a handle, and a spring secured between both the handle andthe launch rail, and e. Score keeping means.
 18. The alternative game ofgolf of claim 1 wherein the target is mountable onto a pole-likeground-penetrating post adapted to accept the target mounting plate. 19.The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the target is mountableonto a non-ground-penetrating pedestal-like post having a planar rigidhorizontal sheet fixedly attached to the base of said pedestal-likepost.
 20. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the curvedlauncher further comprises a plurality of spaced perforations traversingthe central area along the length of the curved launch rail,decompressing air ahead of the ball thus reducing drag.
 21. Thealternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein a spring is located betweenthe launcher and the handle.
 22. The alternative game of golf of claim 1wherein the handle further comprises a long handle, which said handle isadapted to releasably attach to the bottom end of the spring.
 23. Thealternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the handle is a short handlegenerally the length of an opened hand, which said handle is alsoadapted to releasably attach to the bottom end of the spring.
 24. Thealternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein either handle is attached tothe lower portion of the spring by means of a male-female jointreleasably held together by a spring nipple.
 25. The alternative game ofgolf of claim 1 wherein a tubular cylindrical sleeve having an innerdiameter only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the handle andspring so as to enable longitudinal motion of said sleeve over saidhandle and spring.
 26. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 whereinthe sleeve has a plurality of perforations along its length so as toenable the spring nipple to also traverse one of same perforations. 27.The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the sleeve provideslongitudinal sliding motion of the player's upper hand along the longhandle during a launch.
 28. The alternative game of golf of claim 1wherein the sleeve has a plurality of perforations along its length soas to enable the spring nipple to also traverse one of sameperforations.
 29. The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein thealternative game of golf easily adapts to present day golf courses. 30.The alternative game of golf of claim 1 wherein the use thereof is toprovide players and golf course owners or the like the opportunity toenjoy continued use of a golf course regardless of seasonal situations.